38.The Surprise Attack

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Terumi Mei paced restlessly inside the palace. 

Midorima and Zabuza had infiltrated the enemy camp to rescue the hostages—a mission of extremely high danger. 

Of course, she wanted to go as well, but she couldn't leave. She had to protect Sōsetsu. Besides, Zabuza was undeniably better suited for such underhanded operations than she was. 

This was determined by the nature of their respective ninjutsu. 

Kurenai and Asuma weren't faring much better than Mei. At this moment, the three of them genuinely felt a sense of shared fate. 

Ironically, the one who should have been the most anxious—Sōsetsu—was the calmest of them all. 

After accepting the reality that his daughter, Koyuki, had been taken hostage, Sōsetsu had forced himself to remain composed. No matter how the situation developed, he needed to conserve his energy. 

His only demand was that Koyuki survive—he was even prepared to exchange his own life for hers. 

"Your Majesty…" Sandayū Asama entered the grand hall and knelt before Sōsetsu. "All personnel have been deployed. We've ensured that every precaution has been taken." 

Sōsetsu gave a slight nod. 

At a time like this, he didn't want to dampen Sandayū enthusiasm—after all, the man meant well. But if Koyuki were brought before him as a hostage, there would be very little he could do. Any impregnable defense would crumble in an instant. 

"If there's nothing else, you may withdraw. Make sure the soldiers stay warm. Staying up all night in this cold will be difficult." Sōsetsu forced a smile. 

"Your Majesty, ensuring your safety is my duty. Please do not worry." Sandayū bowed deeply before stepping out of the hall. As he passed Mei waiting outside, he said, "I entrust His Majesty to you all." 

Mei didn't dare promise absolute success. If Sōsetsu chose to die willingly, there would be nothing she could do. She could only nod slightly in response. 

Once Sandayū had left, Mei entered the hall and looked at Sōsetsu's composed expression. "Don't worry," she reassured him. "Those three will be fine. I have full confidence in Midorima and Zabuza. Kakashi is also highly skilled. They'll succeed." 

"I believe—" 

"Believe what? I won't show mercy. No matter how many of you come, you'll all die." 

A sudden voice echoed from behind a folding screen. Sōsetsu's face instantly paled. Mei, seemingly anticipating the speaker's identity, swiftly moved to shield Sōsetsu. At the same time, Kurenai and Asuma burst into the hall from outside. 

Kazahana Dotō, clad in armor, strode out from behind the screen. His lips curled into a smirk as he stared at Mei and the others, who were frozen in shock. "What's wrong? Is there something surprising about this?" 

"How did you get here?!" Mei demanded, keeping Sōsetsu behind her. 

"I know what you're thinking. The palace is heavily guarded—how did I bypass all your defenses without flying in? The answer is simple: underground tunnels…" 

Dotō clapped his hands. The sound of hurried footsteps erupted from all directions as a flood of shinobi and soldiers poured into the hall, surrounding them completely. 

Mei's gaze darted outside—the open grounds beyond the hall were now filled with warriors clad in winter gear. 

"When did you dig these tunnels?" Sōsetsu asked in disbelief. 

"The tunnels were already there. I merely extended them. Oh, and I suppose you wouldn't know—everyone who did is either dead or loyal to me." Dotō took a step forward, his expression twisting with malice. "Ever since that old man passed the throne to you instead of me… I've been waiting for this day. Today, I take back everything you stole from me!" 

"Stole?" Sōsetsu suppressed his anger, maintaining his usual composure. "You squandered your own chances." 

Dotō's eyes sharpened. "Go on. I have time. Stall for a few more minutes, and you might just see your daughter again. Though I'm still deciding whether to kill her or hand her over to you—that depends on your cooperation." 

He paused, then sneered. "The treasure and the throne—surrender them both. Otherwise, your daughter dies!" 

"And if I do, will you spare us?" Sōsetsu asked. 

He was no saint, but he wasn't naive either. 

"You can try your luck!" Dotō laughed. 

"Then I refuse. I don't believe you'll let us live." Sōsetsu shook his head. 

The people of the Land of Snow were his people. He could die, but he would never hand them over to Dotō. 

The way Dotō had stormed the palace made it clear he had no intention of negotiating. Moreover, as long as the former ruler lived, Dotō would always see him as a threat. 

"Then you leave me no choice but to slaughter you all!" Dotō grinned viciously. 

Kurenai, Asuma, and Mei immediately formed a protective circle around Sōsetsu. 

As enemy shinobi charged forward, Mei struck first, forming hand seals before spewing a massive surge of water from her mouth. 

"Suiton: Suijinheki!" (Water Release: Water Pillar!) 

The water crashed onto the floor and rapidly spread outward, forcing weaker shinobi to retreat. The stronger ones leaped high, unleashing their own techniques. 

"Suiton: Suiryūdan no Jutsu!" (Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique!) 

"Hyōton: Haryūmōko!" (Ice Release: Raging Tiger of Destruction!) 

"Suiton: Suigadan no Jutsu!" (Water Release: Water Fang Bullet!) 

A barrage of ninjutsu rained down upon them. 

Kurenai scooped up Sōsetsu and dodged frantically while Asuma drew his chakra blades, engaging in close combat. Mei erected a "Suiton: Suijinheki" (Water Release: Water Wall) to block the incoming attacks. 

Just then, two shinobi flanked them, targeting Kurenai and Sōsetsu. 

"Genjutsu: Sanzakura!" (Illusionary Technique: Triple Cherry Blossoms!) 

Kurenai suddenly dropped low, preparing to counterattack as the two shinobi closed in. 

This was her signature ambush technique—once caught in the genjutsu, the enemy would see swirling cherry blossoms, leaving them vulnerable. 

But this time… 

Her strike was effortlessly blocked. Had Asuma not intervened, she would have at least suffered minor injuries. 

Why didn't it work?! 

Kurenai's mind reeled. 

This almost never happened. 

"Sorry, little genjutsu user. Your tricks don't work on chakra armor ." Dotō smirked. 

Chakra armor? 

Now that Dotō mentioned it, Mei noticed the enemy shinobi wore two distinct uniforms—standard ninja attire and a white variant. 

The white-clad shinobi were immune to Kurenai's illusions. 

So this is chakra armor? 

Suddenly, Mei felt the weight of the situation pressing down on her.